LOWELL | When Lowell's Red Devils run out for today's Class 4A state championship game, most of the players are going to feel like they're in another world.
For the 58 teenagers to run out onto Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the place that Peyton Manning calls home, and compete against Evansville's Reitz High School on the state's biggest stage, it may seem otherworldly.
But when Lowell sophomore Roman Huseman trots out for the game, another universe might be closer to an apt description. The 6-foot-1, 166-pound wide receiver and defensive back has a story much bigger than state championships.
Huseman lived in Vladivostok, Russia, until he was 6. That's when his world came crashing down.
"My father was in the Russian navy," Huseman said. "He came home. We lived together for a little while. But someone stole everything in our home. I was put into an orphanage."
Huseman's voice still has a slight Russian accent. He said the memories from his homeland are foggy. There was pain and loss, though the specifics have vaporized.
"It was hard," Huseman said. "I know I didn't have much of a future there."
One day when Huseman was 6, the orphanage directors told him to stay home from school. Kevin and Rene Huseman, of Lowell, arrived to adopt a child. They learned that Roman had a younger brother, Alex, now 9, and sister, Elizaveta, now 11. All three made Indiana their home.
"I didn't even know I had a little brother," Huseman said. The Husemans also adopted a fourth child, Ethan, now 14.
Huseman had played a little hockey and soccer, internationally known as football, in Russia. He did not know of American football until he arrived. And he had no clue how important it was until November 2004.
The family went to the RCA Dome to watch Andrean High School play in the Class 3A state championship game, where the 59ers beat Heritage Hills 21-14. Roman's adopted brother, Cody Huseman, was on the 59ers' team.
"I never knew how big it was until my parents took me to that game," Huseman said. "I couldn't wait to learn the game and start playing."
Mother Rene Huseman said she was struck by the smile on Roman's face.
"His eyes were so big, they were just looking around at how big the Dome was," she said. "He didn't speak much English then, so he did his talking with his smile."
The first time Huseman played was in seventh grade. Lowell coach Kirk Kennedy said Huseman has shown a lot of ability for a newcomer. He said he believes that Huseman likely will be a starter next year, if he continues working hard.
But that isn't what impresses Kennedy the most.
"A kid like that has gone through things 99 percent of Americans can't even fathom," Kennedy said. "He's a great kid, a great son. He's done everything that we've asked of him. He's been given a great opportunity, and he has appreciated it in the fullest possible way.
"I am proud that he is on my football team."
Thousands of Lowell residents will be in the stands to take in the drama and spectacle of today's game in Indianapolis. Huseman has taken this ride in with an American smile on his face.
"Last week in the semistate game (a 24-21 victory over Fort Wayne Dwenger), I was screaming, 'We won, we won,'" he said. "The excitement has been unbelievable. It's felt very weird, too, how far I've come. I was born on the other side of the world. And now I'm here in this game.
"I am so grateful to my family for bringing me here and giving me this chance."
More inside, online
Lowell High School's successful football program has been a family affair. See more in Sports on Page C1.
Join Jim Peters at 2:15 p.m. today as he leads a live chat from Lowell's Class 4A state championship game against Evansville Reitz. Visit nwi.com.
Watch the Red Devils go for their second state title at nwi.com.
Class 4A state championship game
Lowell (13-1) vs. Evansville Reitz (14-0)
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
When: 2:30 p.m. today
Radio/Internet: WWCA-AM 1270, WGVE-FM 88.7, WZVN-FM 107.1; midamericabroadcasting.com, sportsjuice.com, regionsports.com, rrsn.com
